Phobar: Where Teleportation to Vietnam Happens
As a foodie, one of my favorite things about NYC is the opportunity to locally try different cuisines from all over the world. Last week, it was time to try the Vietnamese cuisine at PhoBar, in honor of their recently added menu items. I was excited to live a new Vietnamese, culinary experience, but I was mostly curious to know what PhoBar’s buzz is all about. And I have to confess, the restaurant’s savory recipes, unique décor, and impeccable service, exceeded my expectations.
Right at the heart of Chinatown, PhoBar embraces the Asian atmosphere. It directly teleported me to a hip Vietnamese world with its ceiling of green water lilies, big dragon ornaments, and a neon-lit noodle bar… and of course, the food is also loyal to its culture. PhoBar’s menu has so many options, and I felt like ordering everything on it. For our entrées, my friend and I ended up picking the perfectly crispy Spring Rolls, the flavorful Chili Shrimps, and the savory Brussels Sprout Salad. In just five minutes (and I’m not exaggerating), everything was on the table. The food was delicious, but it was the speed of the service and the friendliness of the waiters that impressed me.
Since we were eating at PhoBar, we figured that we should taste its Pho dishes (of course). Wanting to keep it simple, we ordered the Classic Beef Pho, which was hea-ven-ly! This basic dish’s ingredients perfectly harmonize with one-another to create rich, yet light flavors. A big bowl of warm, and guiltless comfort-food, that effortlessly put a smile on our faces. My friend and I also shared the “Grilled Lemon Grass Chicken, Shrimp, & Spring Roll”. Served with dry noodles, the dish’s meats are so tender, and melt in the mouth. We were enjoying every bite of our dinner, but we kept some leftovers in our plates: Not because we didn’t love the food, but because PhoBar’s portions are VERY generous.
Looking at our not-so-empty plates, I was once again teleported to the Vietnamese world: here, even the portions reflect the culture’s values of generosity and giving. I now get why everyone praises PhoBar. And I can confirm that the BUZZ IS REAL!
